Espresso Thoughts

Dear arb -thank you for the delicious comments. Yes, - that is how poetry works with time and space. When I read great poetry (indeed, any writing form) from other times and places and it truly feels now and here - that is its genius, I think. And my wonderment never ceases! :-)

Micky - I'm so pleased to see you, dear. Your good opinion is valued! Thank you!

Dimitris - you know how to make a person feel great and - important. I know you know whereof you speak. Thank you, my friend. I suppose publishing is in my picture and I will know when the time is "here". I'm basking in just feeling free to share it still. Hugs.

Eiddwen - I'm pleased with your response. It is so good to know you love my stuff. Thank you! I enjoy yours, too!

McH - - Thanks. Your opinion is ever valued! The recognition I get from you and others I admire and respect here at HP is almost blowing me away! I'd like to leave a legacy, though, of course.

I appreciate your well wishes!

ChrisL - You know, to reach and become a friend through my poetry is truly a reward I (and it) had never even dreamed of doing except in very limited ways. I've always wished to be, as a person, better known and understood (even if not necessarily agreed with or even approved of!) - sot to feel I'm being accurately "read" is such a treat. I've too often felt that those who "should have" just 'never knew me' which seems sad both directions. And there comes a time when it's just too late to bridge it. So - especially, thank you for that thoughtful reassurance that I can be and am known as a person. It is far more precious than fame or fortune. (They aren't mutually exclusive, though - are they? tee hee)

AW, RB - that is so gratifying! I hope nothing too serious ails you but if my little poems helped alleviate it, I'm beyond delighted! I'll be thinking about you. Thank you, dear lady.

Fay - it's an honor to see you here and liking what you read! Thank you!

Oh - Nikki - girl - you've described it exactly. There is some common sense in being aware of likely consequences of what one does in the present - like "if this, . . . then that. . ." so as to avoid pitfalls and toppling off cliffs which can be circumvented. But we can't map out everything - at least not if we have any real desire to LIVE our lives. And we can't always circumvent the unforeseen disasters. That is why we must have a lot of "bounce-back" and positive viewpoint. But it seems we agree that a lot of the good stuff is right before our eyes, "right here, right now" - and yet it can be easily overlooked if one is always trying to focus on the past or future.

Good thoughts, gal. Hugs - and thanks for coming by and sharing them. It feels like we just had a sup of espresso together!

Perhaps the key concept is "expected". When too much is expected from the unfolding of reality, there is ample room for disappointment because it seldom if ever conforms to our expectations, which are very often poorly designed anyway. We think we want and need things "now" which - in retrospect we will come to recognize as the worst possible outcomes for us. And when our expectations are met, we frequently have plenty of chances to experience how wrong they are for us. If we are more sensitive to the realities unfolding and can see our own paths in them, it is much more likely that we will be gratified and pleased by the outcomes.

So - yes, we take risks, with or without expectations, but if we have hard and fast expectations, we are nearly guaranteed to be frustrated with what emerges and without them, we are more resilient and can embrace it as it develops more in accord with our real nature as well as in accord with Nature itself. The worst that happens is surely no worse than when we are hell-bent on "making everything conform" according to some idea we thought perfect.

It doesn't rule out planning - but planning needs to be with a thought to making adjustments and appreciating what "turns up" unexpectedly.

One thing I believe we need to be true to is our own nature. If it is not working - it is because it is blocked from all it really is. That means we can and must examine our choices and directions to see what the block is.

Yes - a very nice cup! Hugs, Nikki.

Dear Dr. BJ Thank you. If anyone could pull off smiling out loud, it would be you! I love it! And it's true about paper dolls vs. real people. ;->

Now I may be Sleepless in Dallas, neeleshkulkarni. Oh my. . . What a lovely compliment! Thank you. And especially I thank you for perceiving that poem so well.

SilentReed. I got tired of the grind and figured it was more a choice than I'd realized! I'm so happy if my poems provide a break from it. Thanks for telling me that!

I also thought Jobim was a perfect accompaniment for espresso! Great minds think alike! :-)

What a lovely compliment coming from one of our youngest to one of our - er - most mature. That is so dear, Ben. I appreciate your talent and your good opinion is a cherishable. Thank you. Who knows - we might meet some time! That would be so much fun!

amillar - Thank you so much!

miss_jkim - thank you, dear friend. Actually when I wrote many of them, it was so I could have a refuge myself, and a place of clarity and reassurance. So it is especially nice to have you share that it helps you in a similar way.

christopheranton - how lovely. Thank you - and I'm happy you like the pictures, too. I have such fun assembling these hubs and coordinating the visual and even the sounds with the thoughts.

Ms Sally - It is a strong visual, isn't' it. When I wrote it, it wasn't all that long after space shots had showed our Earth from enough perspective to see how beautiful it is, how round, how suspended in space - and of course - some of its makeup is agate. My brother was a marble collector and the "agates" were very prized. From these things came the thought for the poem - and then - the thought of how marbles are "played". Boys used to make it clear that the playing would be "for keeps" - no begging to get it back.

I write my poetry by hand and it is always spaced airily and placed to enhance the thoughts. So I've tried to show that when I transcribe them to a screen with typing.

Fossillady -Thank you for that lovely compliment for my poetry!

And - haha - well - to tell the truth, the last actual dressy clothes in my closet are from the 80s. After that, I became so casual! I hadn't given these a thought as being dated. But they are, for sure. Since I graduated from high school in 1948 and my heyday was at the 50s, - the clothes of he 80s still seem rather modern. I've been through a lot of fashion upheavals. tee hee.

toknowinfo -I visited your site before replying, as I enjoy knowing to whom I am speaking! I will visit it again and again. You have some wonderful hubs. I responded to the one about the value of lemons. So I am all the more pleased that you visited my site and enjoyed reading and reflecting on my words here. Hugs.

Yes - that is the permeating thought! All of our beings and all our time for feeling our feelings are right before us for the taking! Thank you, Katie! Hugs.

hehe, Martie - I'm Mother Hubbard - er - Hubland. Love it. And I always, always welcome your visits and comments, my dear Hubdaugter! Thank you ((((Martie)))) !!

Thank you for the visit, Doug. I feel honored by it. I have observed your comments on hubs I've visited and they seem to be generally thoughtful and well-stated. So thank you for your "take" here.

Hello, hello - - it always lifts my spirits to see you've commented on one of my hubs! Thank you, dear friend!

It's not a bad place and way to be, Charlie - in the present and making the most of very moment of it! :-) Thank you, sweetie - I'm thrilled that you came by. When I get my chapbook ready, I'll send you an autographed copy! hehe Hugs!

Ah - the courtyard is enchanting! Just lacks a few doves gliding about. I always visualize the old movie "Moment To Moment", set in Italy, when I think of such a scene. Have to be the doves, and a fountain with coins in it is nice too. Lovely daydream!! Might even have a limoncello for the festivity of it and watch "Moment To Moment". Again - thank you for the pretty praises and just for visiting my hubs, Ken! Hugs.

Oh, Epi! Thank you for reminding me of that great song of the Hollies! I loved their "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" too. Now you've refreshed my memory of both great songs! Thank you most of all for being YOU! You're a treasure!